Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots have announced that utility player Billy Hall has been voted as the #2 Patriot in team history.

The Top 20 Patriots presented by AT&T is a season-long promotion as part of the team’s 20th Season. The Top 20 Patriots were voted on by the fans and ranked by an expert panel of team officials, media, and long-time fans.

“My time in Somerset was a blessing. The memories made and the friendships we developed will last forever,” said Hall. “Those few years there were special and will be hard to duplicate. You have to be thankful that the people that you played for and came to watch you day in and day out appreciated how you played the game.”

Hall was one of the greatest players in Atlantic League history and had the ability to change every game with his unmatched base-stealing prowess.

He joined the Patriots in 2000 and had an immediate impact on the team. Hall set a professional baseball record with 66 straight stolen bases before being caught on his way to a league record 104 stolen bases during that season.

Hall returned to the team in 2001 and continued being the catalyst for Somerset, who would go on to win their first championship in team history. Hall finished with 72 stolen bases and set a league record that still stands today for 113 runs scored.

“I only hope some of the players who follow have the chance to experience a glimpse of what we had in 2001. Nothing like it,” Hall remarked.

He was back in Somerset in 2002, but an injury cut his season short. However, his time with the Patriots led to his signing with the Miami Marlins, where he spent the next few seasons in their minor league system before returning to Somerset in 2005.

Hall once again proved invaluable on the 2005 championship team, finishing the year with a .295 average, 99 hits, and 62 stolen bases.

In his 15 seasons of baseball, Hall made the playoffs in 12 seasons. He won two championships in his time with the Patriots and was in the championship series three of his four seasons with the team.

“As a competitor, your ultimate goal is to win championships. To know that you are one of the last two gladiators standing in a winner takes all situation is a good feeling,” Hall added.

Hall remains the Atlantic League’s “Stolen Base King,” finishing with a career record 290. He finished his Patriots career with a .281 average, 353 runs, 469 hits, 67 doubles, 27 triples, 145 RBI in 409 games.

Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 37 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.